AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn volleyball suffered its first Southeastern Conference loss of the season Friday night, falling 3-1 to No. 3 Kentucky at Neville Arena.
In the first set, the Tigers fell behind 15-12 before scoring three consecutive points to tie the set at 15. The set ended quickly as Kentucky responded with a 10-1 run to take the opening set 25-16.
The second set was similar: Auburn took an early lead, but it fell apart after a 10-2 run to take a 12-6 lead. Auburn cut the deficit to two points at 16-14, but Kentucky pulled away to win the set 25-17.
The third set showed a strong response from Auburn. Kentucky took a 6-2 lead, but Auburn whittled it down to tie the set 9-9. The set continued through eight straight, but a Kentucky service error and a failure to get a third contact over the net gave Auburn the set point.
The match continued on, a final showing with Auburn trailing 2-1 entering the fourth set. Kentucky took a 14-13 lead before going on a 6-1 run and racking up numerous kills from Brooklyn DeLeye to force an Auburn timeout.
The Wildcats won five of the final seven points to take the set 25-17 and the match 3-1. Kentucky’s attack proved too much for the Tigers, with DeLeye, Georgia Watson and Asia Thigpen combining for 50 kills.
A 3-1 loss snapped the Tigers' eight-match winning streak and moved Auburn to 1-1 in conference play. The Tigers used the match as a learning opportunity and a showcase of their strengths, with 13 blocks to end the game.
Auburn will return to Neville Arena Sunday, Oct. 4, to host No. 11 Tennessee at 2 p.m. CT.
